How to Throw The Best Inclusive Work Holiday Party
The holidays are here, and many companies are planning parties to celebrate the end of the year. While it's important to recognize employees' accomplishments, hard work and reward them with an event, it's equally important to make sure everyone feels included. Here are some tips to help you throw inclusive and safe holiday parties.
The holiday season is a busy time for many people, and it can be stressful. For those working in human resources, there are certain traditions that must be observed during the holidays, such as Christmas parties and employee recognition programs. However, these celebrations can sometimes cause tension among employees who feel excluded because they don't celebrate the same holidays as others.
In fact, nearly one-third of employers say employee morale drops and they lose productivity during the holiday season because of workplace celebrations. And while most people enjoy celebrating the holidays, there are ways to make sure everyone feels welcome and appreciated.
70% of Americans identify themselves as Christians. And while that number hasn't changed much since 1990, there are signs that the percentage is starting to decline. A recent survey found that just under half of millennials say they're religious compared to about three-quarters of Generation Xers and Baby Boomers.
That's why it's important for businesses to move away from the traditional Christmas party and decorations. This does not mean you cannot have a holiday party or make your office festive during the holidays. Just when doing so you have to ensure you are keeping all your employees in mind, everyone has different beliefs.
In addition to losing productivity, including Christmas parties in the office also alienates employees who aren't religious. If you want to make sure your team feels included, avoid making references to Christmas and throw an inclusive holiday event. You'll find that employees appreciate having a space where they can come together without feeling pressured to attend a specific event.
Do not be ignorant
Not everyone celebrates the same holiday you do. Although some workplaces might have a vast majority that celebrates a holiday there can be others who do not or others who don't celebrate but feel too uncomfortable to tell everyone they do not celebrate everyone in their office does because it will isolate them even more. To avoid this issue just do not bring up specific holidays. You can still have a holiday party in the workplace without bringing holidays and culture into it.
Be aware of religious sensitivities. For example, avoid displaying images of Santa Claus or other symbols associated with Christianity.
Don't assume that everyone celebrates the same holidays. Some people celebrate Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Diwali, Eid al Fitr, Ramadan, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Eve, and others.
Encourage but do not force
Companies can advertise any company get-together where all employees are invited. However, employees shouldn't be forced into attending. If you want people to participate, encourage them to do so. Remind managers and supervisors that they don't have to pressure employees to attend. This way, everyone knows what's expected of them. A way to encourage employees is to have prizes offered or raffles for gift cards.
Accessibility
If you're hosting an office holiday party, chances are you want it to be memorable for everyone involved. But how do you make sure that your event is inclusive for everyone? Consider team-building activities to help your employees interact. You might even choose to incorporate a theme into your festivities, such as a winter wonderland or a tropical paradise.
While planning, consider whether all of your employees will be able to take part in an activity. For example, if you plan to hold a holiday party centered around a lot of physical activity or games like basketball, there may very well be employees who can't move around as much as others or simply do not feel comfortable playing. In addition, if you are having your holiday party, not in your office, ask off-site venues if they offer access for people with disabilities. For example, ensure there is a ramp as an option to use instead of the stairs if you have an employee in a wheelchair.
Here are some tips to help ensure that your office holiday party is accessible for everyone:
Avoid activities requiring difficult physical activity.
Ask off-site venues about their facilities.
Consider theme-based events to easily create activities that can combine with the theme chosen that are easy and accessible for everyone in the workplace.
Ensure you review the Calander for religious holidays as well as review your company's Calander in case someone has an important meeting the day you plan on having your event be held.
Ask others for their preferences
A survey can help you learn more about your employees' needs and preferences, including how they want to celebrate important events such as birthdays, holidays, and anniversaries. You'll know exactly what they like and don't like, and it helps you plan accordingly.
This makes it simple for you to plan any office gathering, you already know what your employees are comfortable with, so it won't be a shock if you do something or include something in your event that your employees are uncomfortable with. It will avoid that issue altogether creating a safe comfortable environment for everyone where they all feel welcomed and appreciated.
Theme
The holidays are upon us, and many people are looking forward to celebrating with friends and family. But some people might feel uncomfortable about throwing a holiday party because it feels too religious or political. If you want to avoid controversy, consider choosing a neutral theme everyone can agree on, such as Winter Wonderland, Ugly Holiday Sweater Party, or Dream Vacation. You can still celebrate the season while keeping religion out of the room.
Food restrictions
1. Make sure there are plenty of healthy choices. You could even offer a buffet where each guest gets his or her own plate. This can also be fun if guests want to bring a dish inspired by their culture or where they are from, this way everyone can be involved and feel included. It can also bring your employees closer together as they share their culture with one another.
2. Separate meat from dairy. Some vegetarians and vegans cannot eat products that contain milk or eggs. This includes many popular dishes like lasagna, macaroni and cheese, and pizza. So, make sure you provide enough options for those guests without having to worry about cross-contamination.
3. Consider gluten-free and nut-free options. Many people with dietary restrictions like celiac disease or allergies avoid certain types of bread, pasta, and crackers. And some people choose to avoid nuts because of severe allergy symptoms.
4. Offer a variety of protein options. A lot of people love meat, but others prefer tofu, beans, or other plant-based proteins. Include several different kinds of meatless options so no one feels left out.
To ensure everyone will be able to enjoy let them know ahead of time to inform you of their restrictions so you can get a head count on who needs special meals.
Drinks
Don’t forget about alcohol. Alcoholic beverages aren’t always suitable for everyone, but if you do serve alcoholic drinks, make sure you include both beer and wine.
If you decide not to serve alcoholic beverages at your work gathering it is okay, it is not necessary, and many people won't even expect it to be there anyways.
Focus on calendars
How do you decide what date works best for your company? There are many factors to take into account, for example, you want to make sure there aren't conflicts with any major religious holidays. If you're planning on throwing your party during the Jewish holiday of Passover, you'll want to choose a date well ahead of time. And don't forget about the time of day. Some people prefer to be head during the workday because they have obligations after work.
One popular option is choosing a date in January. Companies often hold their office holiday party after New Year's Day because it avoids the month of December and the different holidays within that particular month. Another reason to choose a date in January is that it gives you plenty of time to plan out the logistics of the event.
Feedback
When an event is taking place, it's easy to see if it went well. People smile, laugh, and stay engaged during the event. They're enjoying themselves and having fun. If you ask them about what they thought of the event, they'll tell you everything you want to hear.
If you don't ask for feedback, you won't know whether things went well or poorly. So, send out a quick survey that asks questions such as "How did you find the corporate holiday party?" and "What did you think of the food and beverages?" "Did you feel comfortable and happy with the theme and activities?" A few simple questions will help you learn what worked and what didn't work.
You can use TeamMates.One to quickly create, send out and gather surveys. So, you can then collect data on what your employees actually thought about your holiday party.
Takeaways
This is a great time to reflect on how you want to celebrate with your team. Some companies choose to host a big party where everyone gets together to enjoy food and drinks. Others prefer to keep it simple and just do something small like having lunch together or playing games.
Whatever you decide to do in the end, remember that it doesn't matter whether you're celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, etc. What matters most is that you're being respectful of everyone's beliefs and traditions and spreading holiday cheer for everyone's culture and beliefs.
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